Making an historic move to lease land at the Dutton Park Sports Complex, the West Liberty City Council approved an agreement with Kacee and Nick Bell to build a sports facility on the southeast corner of the property Tuesday, April 19, at their regular board meeting held at the West Liberty High School Auditorium.
The couple, who live on Elder Ridge Road in rural West Liberty, won a $25,000 Economic Development Program grant in February from the city to build the 5,600 square foot complex that will include batting cages, work out area and other services in the 74 x 80-foot building hoped to open later this year.
The contract with the city is for leasing .76 acres of property that is now vacant for five years through December 2027 with an automatic renewal of four additional terms of five years. The lease agreement starts at $200 per year for the first five years and increases $200 per year with each additional renewal.
There are no other indoor training facilities of this type for public use between West Liberty and Davenport to the east and North Liberty to the west. The 18-foot high facility, anticipated to cost $385,000 to construct, will host $50,000 in training equipment, restrooms and a large storage facility as well as offices.
The Bells said earlier this year there is a growing substantial need for indoor sports facilities every year and their complex plans to offer a licensed trainer who will lead group lessons to help increase speed and agility among athletes. The facility will offer high quality equipment with flexible scheduling.
The Bells also plan to offer the ability for organizations to sign long-term training contracts for single or multiple teams within an organization.
The facility will include batting cages, pitching areas, team skill areas and a separate weight area for group or individual training. The facility will also offer senior fitness classes as well as speed and agility training.
The Bells said youth baseball and softball programs have exploded in popularity over the past decade and noted studies show state-of-the-art facilities offering similar amenities attract users from up to 40 miles away.
The couple worked with WeLead Economic Development director Ken Brooks on the project after starting with former director Joe Taylor.
In other business, the council voted to approve and submit uncollectable utility billing in the amount of $25,522 to the State of Iowa Income Offset Program while also approving a resolution o write off bad debt on uncollectable utility billings in the amount of $3,150.22. The city staff was commended afordoing an outstanding job of going after overdue utility collections to reach that amount.
The council also set a public hearing for their Tuesday, May 3, 7:30 p.m. meeting on amending solid waste fees through an ordinance.
City engineer Leo Foley of Veenstra & Kimm said he continues to work with Northway Corporation of Marion in completing the Well #2 revitalization project brushing and televising of the inside of the well the city hopes to eventually put back into use.
Sherry Hoffert, the assistant clerk, reported on progress in getting the two columbariums in the Oak Ridge Cemetery level and back and in order so residents can place urns in the units. Two more columbariums are also to be placed on the site near the soldier statue. It was noted the units are hoped to be ready to take on urns by the Memorial Day weekend.
The city also approved unanimously a pair of mayoral appointments, naming Tom Alberti, former manager of West Liberty Foods, to the planning and zoning board and David Smith, a former councilman, to the board of adjustments.